Better bus routes for Hebburn

28 January 2011

Nexus is changing two bus routes in Hebburn from 30th January after talking to local councillors and residents about how to improve services in the area.

The new 515 will run hourly, Monday to Saturday, from Heworth to Glen Street, via Monkton Business Park, Victoria Road West, Victoria Road East, Argyle Street and Hebburn Quay.It restores an important local link from Victoria Road West and Hebburn Quay to Heworth Interchange,

The revised TB529 will run hourly on the same route from Heworth to Hebburn town centre then run to Lukes Lane Estate via Hall Road, Canning Street, St John's Avenue, Toner Avenue and Mountbatten Avenue.

The changes will replace the existing 15 route, also previously subsidised by Nexus using funding from local councils. Later evening services are being withdrawn due to very low passenger numbers.

Tobyn Hughes, Nexus Director of Customer Services, said: “We have engaged with local councillors and residents to find out what they thought of the local bus services we introduced last June and where we could make improvements.

“These two new routes improve bus links to Hebburn Quays while also maintaining important links around Lukes Monkton Lane using a smaller bus more suitable for the road network.”

Hebburn South ward councillors have helped publicise the improvements by delivering timetables to homes in their ward.

Cllr Eddie McAtominey, who represents Hebburn South, said: “These services provide a better service for people in the Victoria Road West area – both to Heworth Interchange and Hebburn Town Centre.

“These improvements have been made after discussion with Nexus, and can only be maintained if they are fully supported by local people.”

Councillor Joe Abbott, who represents Hebburn North, added: “The new 515 will provide an extra bus service for residents in Hebburn Quay, responding to the requests of local residents. We will continue to try and get further bus services that are required by residents.”

The 515 will be operated using a 1521-seater bus from Veolia on behalf of Nexus. The TB 529 will continue to be operated as a taxi-bus by local firm Antony Kane Taxis.

A taxi-bus accepts fares the same as a bus – including free concessionary travel – but uses a large taxi to reduce cost, emissions, and to make it easier to get round local estates.